Unipod for optical instruments



0. B UEHNER UNIPOD FOR OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS .Feb. 1, 1949. I

Filed June 11, 1946 INVENTOR wa/d Bue/mer ATTORNEY lllll Patented Feb.1, 1 949 srA'r ZAiiM-IGS 3. Claim. (i. 248-216) My invention relates toportable supports for observation or recording apparatus, particularlyfor optical instruments such as cameras, telescopes and so forth.lVi-ore specifically, the invention is concerned with improvements insupporting devices'adapted for outdoor use, of the type which may besecured. to fence posts, telegraph poles, or other suitable structuresconveniently available as a base.

It has already been proposed to provide a camera with a detachableunipod comprising a universal joint of the ball-and-socket type, and totaper and thread the remote end of the unipod in such a manner that itmay be readily screwed into a wooden surface serving as a base. A setscrew provided in the socket was to enable the operator to adjust hisinstrument in any desired position relative to the supporting surface,over an angle determined by the construction of the joint.

One disadvantage of the known device is the fact that the angle ofadjustment is always substantially less than 180, in any direction,since the ball must be enclosed beyond its greatest section in order toprevent it from dropping out of the socket. Also, the pressure which thepoint of the set screv. may exert upon the convex ball surface may notbe adequate to secure the apparatus in its selected position.

It is an object of my invention to provide a detachable support, foroptical instruments or the like, which is to enable such instrument tobe rotated into any desired azimuth and inclination over an angle of 369in both directions.

It is another object of my invention to provide a support, of the typedescribed, which may be readily disassembled into conveniently portableparts.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a support permittingfree rotation of the instrument within a given horizontal, vertical orinclined plane.

Additional objects and features of my invention will subsequently appearas the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a supporting device in accordance withthe invention, screwed horizontally into an upright post and carrying atelescope in inclined position.

Fig. 2 shows the transverse portion of the device.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the transverse portion of the device,together with a portion of the tapered shank secured thereto.

. 4 shows the assembly of Fig. 3, in different relative position of theparts.

5 shows the assembled device in vertical position, screwed into ahorizontal plank surface.

As illustratec. in the drawing, the supporting device according to theinvention principally consists of the tapered shank i and theperforated, transverse piece 2. The latter comprises a plurality ofcylindrical bores 3, 4 and 5, or" which the first two may be parallel toeach other and the third one perpendicular thereto. shank i has athreaded end portion 5, best shown in Fig. 5, which may be screwed intoany conveniently accessible surface such as post i, Fig. l, or plank 8,Fig. 5. The piece 2 further contains two threaded holes 9 and ill,communicating respectively with the single bore 3 and with bores h, toreceive the adjusting screws ii and i2. Either of the transverselyarranged cores :3 and 5 may accommodate the supporting rod is which maybe an integral or detachable part of a telescope, such as outlined at M,or of any other instrument associated with the device. The rod is may beprovided with a terminal screw to to prevent it from sliding out of themember 2 during the adjustment of screw 12. The shank i may also beprovided with a circumierential groove iii and, spaced therefrom, anindentation i'i adapted to receive the tip of screw ii. Preferably, thebores 3, i and 5 are of equal diameter, and the screws ii and 9'2 maylikewise be interchangeable. As shown in the drawing, the top of shank imay be flush with the upper surface of the piece 2 in the assembledcondition shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

If it be desired to adjust the instrument to a plurality of horizontaland vertical angles, this can be readily accomplished by inserting theshank i into the bore 3 and the instrument rod to into the bore 5. Inthe position shown in Fig.1, selection of the azimuth angle is done bymeans of screw i2 and adjustment of the angle of inclination by means ofscrew ii. If the supporting device is to be mounted vertically, as inFig. 5, then the said angles may be determined in analogous manner.

Again, it may be desired to leave the angle of inclination fixed andturn the instrument horizontally, as for scanning the horizon, or elsethe observer may want to follow the course of, say, an airplane at aparticular angle to a plane of reference. This may conveniently beachieved by keeping one of the screws, such as I2, fixed and letting theother, H, slide loosely in the made to engage notch i! so as to keepboth parts fixed with respect to one another. 7

By inserting the rod i3 into bore 4 of piece 2, the shank i can beadapted to serve as a longitudinal extension of that ro'd whereby the 1mstrument may raised above its normal position; It will also be notedthat the transverse piece 2, if fastened to shank I by means of screw llcooperating with notch I1, will constitute a convenient handle by virtueof which the taper 3 may be readily screwed into its base.

While I have described and illustrated a particular embodiment,departures may be made from the precise construction and appearancethereof withoutexceedi ng the scope and spirit of my invention. Thus, byforegoing some of its adjustability, the device may be consolidated intoa single piece substantially combining parts i and 2, screw 5! havingbeen dispensed with. What I consider novel, and desire to protect byLetters Patent, is the following:

A support for optical instruments, comprising a post member having atapered wood-screw thread at one end; a head member having three holes,two of said holes being at right angles having intersecting axes, thethird hole being parallel to one of the others, said post member beingrotatably fastened in said third hole of said head member, andfastening" means whereby the instrument to be supported is held in oneof said intersecting holes.

OSWALD BUEHNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Dingman VApr. 20, 1920

